It has been pointed out in the literature that the
attainment and the maintenance of a personal expanded awareness state
(broad temporal aperture) - are two separate issues. Similarly,
getting into an advanced university and actually staying there are two
separate matters. There are always numerous ongoing costs not
experienced in the attainment phase.. Earlier OpenMystic
sections touch on this subject as may be applied to expanded awareness.

In
the case of advanced awareness, one of the costs may derive from a
natural "negativity bias" that humans have inherited
genetically. Here is a link to a qualitative, easy-to-follow description
that will open in a new window: Negativity
Bias. This is a big "gotcha" in awareness expansion
efforts.

The "negativity bias"
denotes a tendency to focus on and be particularly reactive to negative
events and thought. The news media are aware of this general human
trait and routinely emphasize negative news stories - "If it
bleeds, it leads" as the saying goes. Common gossip is most
often negative as another example. Negative stories and thoughts
are more likely to gain attention thanks to the "negativity
bias". A TV happy news hour would draw little interest nor
advertising income.

Apparently this could be
a virtually paralyzing issue if a person were to successfully grow an
expanded awareness through education and practice. Through the
expanded awareness there will be greater knowledge of negative event
possibilities, plus there would likely be an increased sensitivity to
internal psychological reactions. There is both a greater
awareness of negative possibilities in every day life and the potential
of an increased reactivity to those possibilities - potential for a
degenerative feedback loop.

Arguably,
a natural "negativity bias" is potentially the largest hazard
in awareness expansion practices.